Women Rock Half Marathon Recap 9-28-2014



This year I completed my first and second half marathon with my friend Kelly. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of pictures because I thought they would have professional photographers at the race but they really did not. So no race pictures of me were captured :(.

We got up super early and headed to our parking garage on Webster. It was super easy to find and we paid we via ParkWiz so we headed right in and got a spot. The lot was a 10 minute walk to the start line, which was not bad at all. We skipped by the first line of porto potties to find the second group with a shorter line. The line to verify 21 and older was WAY long so I figured I'll get my wristband at the end.

We headed to the start line, which kind stunk because there was no corrals. So we guessed where we should stand and got in a spot. Once the race took off we headed out towards the tunnel under lakeshore drive up to the lake front path.

There were some pros and a lot of cons to this race. I some how managed to PR given the circumstance and was extremely happy. Kelly had a harder time and finished about 15 min after me. We met up, had some chocolate milk, drank Champaign (yuck), and had to use the phones GPS to find the car. We then took the long journey back home. Next year I think I will do the 10k because you still get the necklace, jacket, and can buy the medal.

Pros:

Nice stained glass medal... for purchase
Nice necklace, I wear mine a lot
Nice jacket

Cons:
Only 4 water stations for 13 miles, it was hot and I am glad I brought my own water.
You share the path with people training for the marathon, bikers, dog walkers, rollerblades...etc
Low race support
Rough terrain
High cost

Famous Racing Sausage 5k

 

 

Well it seems I missed quite a few recaps. One of the races I try and do every year is the Famous Racing Sausage 5k put on by the Brewers at Miller Park. I love this race because it is well organized, the racing sausages are there, and you get to run on the baseball field. So many perks! This year we had enough people on our team Tour De Sausage to get our names on the back of the shirt. I was the only one not to wear the shirt because it is was so hot outside!

 

I met up with John, Tracy, and the rest of our team so we could head to the start line. I really wanted to beat my time last year, oh and John also. He beat me last year and I was bitter :). It was warm again this year but not as bad as last year. My other goal was to beat Chorizo. I did manage to pass Hot Dog on the course and give him a little wave as I ran by. I also love, as usual, running through the stadium!

 

I finished in 34:21, not my best 5k but one of my fastest, oh and I beat John but not Chorizo. I did beat hot dog! No medal at this race, but it is worth it to run with the sausages and through the stadium.

 

After the race I headed home to wash up and then the three of us met everyone for tailgating and the Brewers/ Mets game.

John tailgating

Todd tailgating

Beautiful night for a game

Run sausages run!

Chorizo wins!

 

 



Dirty Girl Mud Run Recap

 

Well I totally forgot to post my recap of the Dirty Girl Mud Run I did back in June. June 28th my friend Irene and I completed the muddy obstacle run for the second year in a row at the Lake County Fair Grounds. I will just start this by saying this will be my last mud run. After running a half marathon I decided I would rather punish myself with 13.1 miles then mud.

 

The weather was warmer this year than last, which was nice. We got there early and was in the 9:15am wave. We ran some but walked a lot as the terrain is very uneven. Most of the course was full of other mud and dirt. This year they had a different organizer which had it's plus and minuses.

 

Pros:

Free images (and good ones none the less)

New obstacles

More vendors and freebies

Free beer, and good beer too Summer Shandy

 

Cons:

1 water station- a bit lacking for a mud run

Longer lines at the obstacles

You had to shower outside this year instead of in the tent, we skipped the shower

 

We had a good time none the less chatting and doing the course. We skipped some of the obstacles where you had to crawl low or climb into water or mud.

Here goes nothing!

Irene and I going down the slide

 

My goal of no mud on the face...FAIL

Like I said I won't be returning next year but I still recommend this race to anyone looking for a muddy good time. It was organized well, not as good as 2013 but still good.

Love this picture!

 

Got to get Irene's number in the pic



We did it!

 

 



Color Run Racine Recap- Happiest 5k on Earth

Pre leaving the house selfie
 

Sat morning I got up bright and early to go pick up my friend Kelly and her friend Debbie for the Color Run in Racine, WI. Kelly and I had gone to Racine to get our packets. This year we got a shirt, headband, tattoos, messenger bag, and bracelet. I also bought some chevron knee socks and Kelly got some bandanas. I wore my tutu I made last week, you can read about that here. We got to the race about 8:15 and found good parking. The weather was gorgeous, much better than last year. It was bout 65 degrees or so and very sunny. Parking was a bit of a walk but in the end, very easy to get out of and worth the spot. We got to the corral around 8:45am and ended up being in the 4th wave. They had shorter waves this year which was much better than last.

Another pre race selfie



Corral selfie

 

Kelly in the corral



Kelly and Debbie ready to run

Looking at the beautiful weather, actually this was probably an accidental shot



We're ready for the Color Run!

 

Kelly headed out in front of us and I stuck with Debbie. She had a similar pace than me so it worked out great. We wound up running the entire race, minus through the color as you really can not see through some of the areas. First was pink, then purple (new this year), blue, and finally yellow. This year I ran with water since there is only one water station and it was pretty hot. We finished in 37:23, which was slower than last year, but I felt better and had a lot of run! Next year I think we will take the princess with us.

Finish line

 

Post race Kelly



Post race Debbie



Kelly and I post race



Me post race



Kelly and Debbie



I rocked one

Getting ready to throw the color



Letting the color go!



So pretty!



Color blowing in the wind

 

Got green this year, my favorite color!

All in all another successful, well put on Color Run. These races are fun and well organized. I hope they keep coming back to Racine. After the race we made our traditional stop at Mars Cheese Castle for meat and cheese. Always a good time!

 

Have you done a Color Run before?

 

 



Weekend Wrap Up- Run, Play, Shop

 

So this weekend was a quick one but a good one. I took a little time Friday during lunch to get in a quick 2 miles. Probably could have done 3 but I was getting hot. Went by Goodwill after work and got a nice White House Black Market dress and some new Under Armor running shorts, still had the tags.

Here is the dress, I thought it was super cute for an event or work.

Afterwards I picked up the child and we had a quick snack then headed to our favorite place, the park. Boy was it crowded and I totally felt if I played on the equipment I would be judged by the other parks, so I boringly stood and watched.

This is only 1/4th of the awesome playground! I love this place as much as she does. Then we headed to Macy's where I got two nice shirts. I went on a hunt for some Sperry Top Siders and ended up empty handed.

 

 Saturday I got up and ran the Lindenhurst Earth Day 5k, it was a free run through McDonald Woods trails. I finished in 37 min, which was not bad since a lot of it was through wood chip paths and up hill. When I got home I showered quick, then pack to our favorite park we went. Thank goodness it was not crowded, and there were parents on the play equipment! We spent about an hour and 1/2 there and it was so fun!

I love when two slides are together so we can race!

Spinning seats are the best!

This thing is crazy, like a log roller

Afterwards the hunt for Sperry's continued, I managed to find some sandals on clearance at DSW for $30.

They will be great for summer and Mexico next year. I still want some boat shoes. We headed home after more errands, she was so tired it spiraled down from there.

 

Sunday we went to the mall to get Justin some shoes and sun glasses. I managed to find the Sheamus/ Ultimate Warrior set and was so happy. With the passing of Warrior I have wanted this set! We got some yogurt at Red Mango, which was excellent. When we got home she played with the wrestling buddies, I think John Cena was wearing a Christmas hat and it sounds like the stuffed bunny and monkey were cuddling on the floor. I made some tasty chicken for dinner and spent time napping a bit. All in all a nice weekend. Hope to actually clean the garage next week.

 

 

 

How was your weekend?